AngMinero
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Business
No Result
View All Result
AngMinero
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Business
No Result
View All Result
AngMinero
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Senate president calls for cancellation of inactive mining licenses

AngMinero News by AngMinero News
March 4, 2025
in News
28 0
0
Gov’t bets on robust mining revenue, miners skeptical
84
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Senate President Francis G. Escudero has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to drop mining exploration permits that remain unused, arguing that companies should not hold on to permits they fail to utilize.

Escudero stressed that such inaction contradicts the intent of the Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act, which aims to promote and develop the country’s mineral resources for national growth.

He asserted that exploration permits are granted to ensure responsible resource utilization. If mining firms fail to develop their concessions within the prescribed period, their permits should be revoked, regardless of the company’s name or influence.

“The intention of the Mining Act is to promote the rational exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of mineral resources to enhance national growth. Exploratory permits were issued by government to achieve this goal, but if these are not being utilized by the mining firms, then they have no business holding on to these permits,” said Escudero

Moreover, unused permits should instead be awarded to capable mining firms through a bidding process, generating revenue for the government while ensuring resource development.

The Senate President recently filed Senate Resolution No. 1310, seeking an investigation into inactive, non-operational, and expired mining permits, which he said hinder the country’s potential in the sector.

He criticized companies that treat exploration permits as private assets, holding onto them for years only to sell them later at a higher price. He reiterated that under the Constitution, mineral deposits are owned by the State, and permit holders are merely contractors.

During a Senate hearing, Escudero highlighted that despite the Philippines ranking fifth globally in mineral reserves and being the world’s second-largest nickel ore producer, the country has failed to maximize its mining potential.

He pointed out that the mining sector contributed only 0.5 percent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 and 0.7 percent in 2023. In contrast, mining contributes over 10 percent of GDP in some of the world’s wealthiest countries.

Citing government data, the DENR reported that as of February 2025, 152 exploration permits had been issued. Of these, 45 remain valid, four are for registration, 53 have expired with pending renewal applications, and 48 have expired with no renewal application. Two permits were either consolidated or canceled.

Escudero criticized discretionary decision-making in the renewal process, warning that it could lead to corruption. He urged the DENR to issue an administrative order or memorandum circular to revoke inactive exploration permits.

What do you think about Escudero’s call to revoke inactive mining permits? Share your thoughts at AngMinero.

Tags: denrdepartment of environment and natural resourcesminingmining explorationpermits

Related Posts

FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards
News

FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards

October 16, 2025
Apex Mining resumes full operations after Davao earthquake suspension
News

Apex Mining resumes full operations after Davao earthquake suspension

October 15, 2025
Davao de Oro halts all mining after 7.4 quake to ensure worker safety
News

Davao de Oro halts all mining after 7.4 quake to ensure worker safety

October 13, 2025
Mining sector pools PHP 3.5M in aid for Masbate after Typhoon Opong
News

Mining sector pools PHP 3.5M in aid for Masbate after Typhoon Opong

October 13, 2025
Apex Mining suspends Davao de Oro operations after 7.4 magnitude quake
News

Apex Mining suspends Davao de Oro operations after 7.4 magnitude quake

October 13, 2025
Hallmark Mining Corp. vows to protect Mt. Hamiguitan, jobs
News

Hallmark Mining Corp. vows to protect Mt. Hamiguitan, jobs

October 9, 2025

FEATURED POST

SMPC declares PHP1.25 special cash dividend, total 2025 payout at PHP13.8B

SMPC declares PHP1.25 special cash dividend, total 2025 payout at PHP13.8B

October 20, 2025
FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards

FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards

October 16, 2025
Apex Mining resumes full operations after Davao earthquake suspension

Apex Mining resumes full operations after Davao earthquake suspension

October 15, 2025
Davao de Oro halts all mining after 7.4 quake to ensure worker safety

Davao de Oro halts all mining after 7.4 quake to ensure worker safety

October 13, 2025

EDITOR PICK'S

SMPC declares PHP1.25 special cash dividend, total 2025 payout at PHP13.8B

October 20, 2025

FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards

October 16, 2025

Apex Mining resumes full operations after Davao earthquake suspension

October 15, 2025

Davao de Oro halts all mining after 7.4 quake to ensure worker safety

October 13, 2025

Mining sector pools PHP 3.5M in aid for Masbate after Typhoon Opong

October 13, 2025

Apex Mining suspends Davao de Oro operations after 7.4 magnitude quake

October 13, 2025

Hallmark Mining Corp. vows to protect Mt. Hamiguitan, jobs

October 9, 2025

Recent News

SMPC declares PHP1.25 special cash dividend, total 2025 payout at PHP13.8B

SMPC declares PHP1.25 special cash dividend, total 2025 payout at PHP13.8B

October 20, 2025
FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards

FNI legal team earns top honors at 2025 ALB Philippine Law Awards

October 16, 2025

Category

  • Business
  • Features
  • News
  • Uncategorized

Follow us

  • Setup menu at Appearance » Menus and assign menu to Footer Navigation

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In